by Andrew Goldfarb JUNE 6, 2013
Microsoft has explained its full policies on Xbox One’s internet requirements, used game policies, transfers to friends, Kinect functionality and much more.

Always Online
As explained by Microsoft, “Xbox One is designed to run in a low-powered, connected state. This means your system, games and apps are always current and ready to play—no more waiting for updates. While a persistent connection is not required, Xbox One is designed to verify if system, application or game updates are needed and to see if you have acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend. Games that are designed to take advantage of the cloud may require a connection.”

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You can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console.

“With Xbox One you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies."

Microsoft added "because every Xbox One owner has a broadband connection, developers can create massive, persistent worlds that evolve even when you’re not playing."

Used Games and Giving Games to Friends
Microsoft also spelled out its policies on game lending, trade-ins and rentals. "In our role as a game publisher, Microsoft Studios will enable you to give your games to friends or trade in your Xbox One games at participating retailers. Third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers. Microsoft does not receive any compensation as part of this. In addition, third party publishers can enable you to give games to friends."

“We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games.”

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You can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once.

Microsoft says "your friends and family, your guests and acquaintances get unlimited access to all of your games. Anyone can play your games on your console--regardless of whether you are logged in or their relationship to you." The company added that “Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers. There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once.”

It's worth noting that Microsoft allows you to gift games to friends but they can't borrow them. Microsoft added that "loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners."

So basically "we're not doing DRM really...but...we're allowing the publishers to do it!!"

It seems like they could have avoided all the negative PR had they just not said anything about DRM since EA already had their stupid online codes. And other publishers could have chosen to or not to join in.

However, I really love the gifting the game thing. That's probably the best answer to DRM.

Start up an online market where you can trade games with friends/anyone and once your game gets chosen you can pick a game of equal value. I don't know why neither company has thought of this. Well I guess Sony may have already, we'll see.